This is an older version of TurboCAD from circa 2006. It's still very powerful though. This is a free, no-strings-attached, legitimate license offered by a software resale company in Britain. The software and serial number can be downloaded from their site. You need to go to the actual TurboCAD website to get your activation code for the software.

1. Turbocad

STEP #1 Go to this URL and enter a name and email address. (Probably better to use a 'disposable' email address to avoid the chance of being spammed in the future, eh?) After submitting your name and email address you'll be given a link to download the software as well as a serial number. The serial number will allow you to install the software but an activation code will be needed to actually run it. STEP #2 Go to and enter your serial number, preferred language (english), PN (phone number), and email address. Click on the 'Go' button and you'll receive your activation code to enable the software. You might not want to give your real phone number.

1. Cadalyst Labs Review: TurboCAD Professional v12 1 Jul, 2006 By: Steven S. Ross Mature 2D and 3D package gives the mechanical crowd and architects good value.
2. Amazon.com: turbocad v12. Interesting Finds Updated Daily. Turbocad Pro Mechanical Pack Add On to Turbocad Pro V12 May 16, 2006. TurboCAD Designer v12.

Should I remove TurboCAD Professional v12 by IMSIDesign? Art. Learn how to remove TurboCAD Professional v12 from your computer.

That's OK, the form doesn't know or care. STEP #3 Run TurboCAD v12.5 and choose to activate the software 'By Phone'. You won't actually call anyone, this is just a method to manually enter the activation code rather than let the software contact the TurboCAD server to automatically fetch an activation code. Enter your activation code.

STEP #4 Enjoy your fully legal and licensed TurboCAD v12.5! Notes: Detailed instructions: This free offer has been going on for some time and has been mentioned occasionally in this forum but I thought I'd post it in it's own thread and in plain view. It has been reported that this version does not run well on Windows Vista or Windows 7. I use only Windows XP so that's no problem for me. The software installation includes a detailed User Manual in PDF form. For more information on this free TurboCAD give-away, Google the words free turbocad 12.5 deluxe. To confirm the legitimacy of this offer, you may contact IMSI (the owner of TurboCAD) Mon-Fri, 8:00am to 5:00pm PST at 1-800-833-8082 or contact them.

I researched this TurboCAD give-away and found that it was a joint venture between PCW (Personal Computer World, a British computer magazine) and Software Paradise (currently the biggest UK software reseller) a few years back. At that time the current version of TurboCAD was 16 and they were giving away version 12.5 on the CD packaged on the cover of PCW magazine. PCW magazine went out of business as of June 2009. Obviously, through some business contract with the publishers of TurboCAD, the partnership acquired unlimited licensing rights to TurboCAD Deluxe v12.5.

With PCW out of business that would leave Software Paradise with the remaining distribution and licensing rights. It is interesting to note that although you can download the software from Software Paradise and receive the serial number (all serial numbers issued are the same, by the way) you have to go to the TurboCAD website to complete the licensing and receive the activation key. I emailed customer service at TurboCAD yesterday to check on the validity of the deal. As of the close of today I've not received a reply. Maybe they're busy or maybe TurboCAD isn't too pleased with having to issue thousands of activation codes for software that isn't that much different, as far as 2D capabilities, from their current product.

I'll email Software Paradise and see what they have to say. Not because I doubt that this is on the up-and-up but just because I'm curious and want to know what the story is. Please do not share activation codes or the serial number in this thread. I want to keep it 100% clean and lawful so everyone can benefit. Thank you for your cooperation. References: Below is an image of what an issue of PCW magazine looked like with the attached CD.

Turbocad

Evidently there would often be free versions of popular software issued on the CDs. Can any of our British forum members comment on the CDs accompanying PCW magazine?